Monthly Archives: December 2011

More mass crying at Kim Jong Il’s funeral

on December 28, 2011 in NorthKorea

Watching the funeral of Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang streaming over the internet, I see the main propaganda techniques they seem to prefer: Many images of Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung Rousing music Large crowds, or the appearance of them Rousing oratory The music and oratory appear designed to rouse, I should say. To my ears they sound like the Andrews Sisters music sounds to our ears today[…] Keep reading →

Wrapping up reasonable talk on eating

on December 27, 2011 in Blog, Fitness, Nature

To wrap up this extended series on food, I’ll summarize most of it in the form of advice: Eat what you feel is right for you. The more you learn and think about food the more you’ll enjoy it. Anyone who tells you what you should or shouldn’t eat is moralizing and meddling. Eating has no right or wrong. In the time I’ve written this series I’ve eaten more vegetables[…] Keep reading →

The Vice Guide to North Korea teaches little and perpetuates pre-conceived notions

on December 27, 2011 in NorthKorea

I used to love Vice Magazine. I still like it a lot. Ten years ago or so I would scour the East Village for copies when it came out, back when no one knew to associate its back-cover American Apparel ads with harassment lawsuits. I saved copies for years to reread articles I enjoyed. I think I went to some of their parties, but I forget. I appreciate that it’s[…] Keep reading →

Why I don’t eat meat: non-issue7: anatomy

on December 26, 2011 in Blog, Fitness, Nature

Following up my series on liberating ourselves from moralists, meddlers, and others who want to impose their subjective values on us in the name of objective truth in the realm of food, let’s continue with anatomy, the next on my list of a few days ago. This reason makes little sense to me, but I hear it regularly. People who eat meat point out things like that most predators have[…] Keep reading →

Why I don’t eat meat: non-issue6: religion

on December 25, 2011 in Blog, Fitness, Nature

Following up my series on liberating ourselves from moralists, meddlers, and others who want to impose their subjective values on us in the name of objective truth in the realm of food, let’s continue with religion, the next on my list of a few days ago. I expect this would-be reason to be a non-issue for obvious reasons. Well, first, I don’t belong to any religion that has any rules[…] Keep reading →

The media keeps misinterpreting North Korea

on December 24, 2011 in Leadership, NorthKorea

The media continue with their “great man” model of leadership with regard to Kim Jong Un’s succession. They imply if things are happening, the person in the leadership position must be making them happen. I think a systems perspective more accurately describes the situation. For example, today’s New York Times describes him becoming “supreme commander” of the military, signaling that his succession is moving forward unimpeded. They imply some chance[…] Keep reading →

Why I don’t eat meat: non-issue5: feeling closer to nature

on December 24, 2011 in Blog, Fitness, Nature

Following up my series on liberating ourselves from moralists, meddlers, and others who want to impose their subjective values on us in the name of objective truth in the realm of food, let’s continue with feeling closer to nature, the next on my list of a few days ago. I can keep this post as brief as yesterday. Both meat eaters and non-meat eaters claim their eating habits bring them[…] Keep reading →

Sign up for my weekly newsletter